Are you planning a camping trip to Manhattan with your dog? We've got you covered. Finding a place to camp with your dog in Kansas has never been easier. Each pet-friendly campsite offers quick access to one or more of Manhattan's most popular destinations.
$24 / night
Primitive camping is allowed in the designated areas.
The 179 acres surrounding the lake is a wildlife refuge, predominately riparian timber with some native grass on the upland area. Primitive camping is allowed on the west side of the lake. Boating is restricted to fishing only. The lake population includes Channel Catfish (which are stocked during the summer months thanks to funding from the Urban Fishing Program), Black bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Flat-head catfish, and Walleye.
West Rolling Hills is a comfortable campground with a site layout that maximizes views of the sparkling Milford Lake. An expanse of 33,000 acres surrounding the lake is public, protected land that's home to an array of wildlife. It's also an ideal setting for outdoor recreation like hiking, swimming, hunting and driving off-road vehicles. Click here for the Milford Lake Virtual Tour.
Activities include boating, swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing and biking. Nearly 70% of the land resources are available for public hunting.
Milford Lake is fed by the Republican River and stands as the largest man-made lake in Kansas, with a surface area of 15,700 acres and 163 miles of shoreline.
The Milford Nature Center and Fish Hatchery is nearby, below the dam and a golf course is adjacent to the nature center.
$24 / night
$20 - $35 / night
Tuttle Creek Cove Campground is a large, quiet oasis located on the shores of Tuttle Creek Lake in the wide open expanse of northeast Kansas.
Tuttle Creek Lake's 11 parks, marina, 10,900 acres of water and 20,000 acres of land provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation activities. Boating, fishing and hiking top the list.Power boaters on Tuttle Creek Lake will enjoy the lake's large main body of water on calm days for water skiing and pleasure boating. Canoeists and kayakers will find River Pond below the dam a perfect place for paddling. The state park offers canoe, kayak, and paddleboat rentals. Bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkeys, crappie, walleye, channel catfish and other wildlife can be found at Tuttle Creek Lake. The lake's fish and wildlife resources provide sightseers, anglers and hunters ample opportunities for their sports.The lake also boasts miles of hiking, biking, off-road vehicle and equestrian trails. The Blue River Trail, a one mile long loop in Outlet Park, provides excellent views of wildlife in all seasons. Click here to learn about additional trails around the lake.
Tuttle Creek Lake is situated in the northern portion of the Flint Hills, which are characterized by flat-topped hills with long, steep slopes, limestone rock outcrops and well-defined stream channels. The climate is typified by warm summers and moderately cold winters. More than 2 million guests visit Tuttle Creek Lake each year to enjoy the endless recreational opportunities provided by the vast lake and surrounding landscape.
Konza Prairie, Kansas State University, Fort Riley and the Prairie Parkway are all located a short drive from the campground.
$24 / night
The designated primitive camping area is free of charge and no reservations are needed. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days on the property. There are several picnic shelters, fire rings and yard lights, one 2-stall vault toilet, and one boat ramp. There is no running water and no electrical outlets are available. There is a SAFETY ZONE posted from the east bluff above the campgrounds down to the lake edge. The remaining area is open to public hunting, fishing and trapping.
Waterfall Information: This is the spillway of the lake and is located on the west side of the dam. Heavy flows are dependent on run off caused by rainfall events. This area is open to viewing only, a well worn path can be followed on foot across the dam to the waterfall. No swimming or climbing on rocks is allowed. Please help us keep everyone safe by staying out of the water and off the slippery rocks.
Campground update: Several new fire rings and picnic tables were installed in the fall of 2018. A few large trees were taken out of the campground due to being too close to the power lines and some elms that were already dead. New trees may be planted to help provide more shade in the coming years.
Fishing regulations are posted on the kiosks by the main entrance, the upper east road and next to the boat ramp. Lake maps and fishing regulation pamphlets are available at the kiosks at the main entrance, west side and east side.
Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area is 10 miles south of Junction City. The 99-acre lake is surrounded by 180 acres of public hunting land which harbors good numbers of quail, pheasant, doves, squirrels, rabbits, white-tailed deer, beaver, muskrats, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats and numerous nongame birds and animals. The lake also serves as a stopover area for migrating waterfowl in the fall and spring. Several food plots are maintained each year to provide winter food for birds and other wildlife. The lake is an excellent clear lake. The lake has been stocked with largemouth bass, walleye, saugeye, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill and crappie. The lake and public hunting area are open year round. Picnic tables, fireplace grills and camping areas are available for public use.
This recreation area is part of Milford Lake
Guide
We stopped for one night. $40, had full hook up, pretty level gravel site. Bathroom shower houses are OK did well for what we wanted. Only thing that might bother some people is there is a train track right beside the campground. This could be charming and rustic, or just annoying noise, depending on your point of view. It was warm, we had the AC on, didn’t bother us. It’s an older campground and it shows, but we were pleased.
Guide
It's a quaint little campground that has been around for 60 years. It's just down the street from President Dwight D Eisenhower presidential museum and library. The entrance is marked with a square blue sign I found difficult to read when approaching the campground. Our site was very level with about 15-18 foot swath of grass on either side.
If you get the chance visit the early 1900's wooden Carousel and old Abilene historic buildings. Check out the The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad heritage railway. Ride the Flint Hills Express on track built by the Rock Island Railroad in 1886! M&R Grill had good food, reasonable prices, and generous portions. Staff was friendly and helpful.
Guide
Kansas has over 40 state fishing lakes with free camping. Lots of fishermen. I’d say over a dozen camping sites. We had a shelter, picnic table, toilet building, view of the lake. We rode our motorcycles here to tent camp. Raccoon couldn’t wait for me to zip my tent to come out and see what we left out.
Scout
Reserve online, reasonably priced. One week stay in this little park, close to Junction City and Fort Riley. Full hookups in pull- thru half circle asphalt tar or back-in sites. Close to Hwy 70 with some noise. Laundry/shower area available.
TravelerCamp site was fine. Just disappointed in the amount of trash surrounding. Easily filled up a large trash bag at the single site I was on. Could be so much better if maintained.
TravelerCampsite is clean and peaceful. Beautiful lake with a waterfall a little more north. The highway nearby is a little noisy but not off putting. Regular drive bys from locals but completely normal.
Scout
In June of 2023, my husband& I decided to move into our 42' toy hauler. We searched& searched within a 30-minute radius of our property that we had bought for a campground with great amenities and where we would feel safe with our 2 babies. Walt's is by far the safest, friendliest, fun-filled campground compared to any of the others we visited around. We were greeted with friendly faces and welcoming staff from our very first day of move-in. They made sure we got settled& hooked up ok and have continued to make us feel right at home. My husband is a truck driver so isn't always home when things go wrong with the camper. The staff has always been there to help when something happens especially when we have had issues with propane leaks, or the heater not working during the colder temps. This campground offers put-put course, swimming pool with poolside pub, horseshoes, catch& release fishing, walking trail, small dog park, playground for children, shower houses/restrooms, laundry facility, on site gas station, a country store with made to order pizzas, sandwiches& tex mex! They do several family friendly events throughout the year. At the country store they have anything of convenience that you may need from toiletries, drinks, snacks, ice cream, games, books, alcoholic beverages, etc. We absolutely love staying here. The sites have been freshly graveled. During the summer the lawn, gardens, pool, etc. Were maintained regularly and they are constantly doing updates weekly here. The best part it is also right off I-70. For long term campers that are truckers they do have a small area for semis. They also have a rentable party room inside the country store as well as outdoor areas for party rentals!
Scout
A sweet little city park in a sweet little city. Electric hookups. Water available at a central pump. Bathrooms were closed for the season Nov. 20 when I was here.
RangerWe stayed for three nights while staying close to Nebraska for a wedding and work obligations. Quiet lake, we were the only campers there. Little traffic through the park. Can sometimes hear the highway 77 noise but not really inside the camper. Great free spot.
ScoutPark is free. With hookups. Cute little town. Lots to see. Wish there were more of these out there
GuideMultiple spots are available on the lake, and there are a couple in a grassy wooded area. They have picnic tables and fire pits already there. I stayed in the grassy wooded area and enjoyed the night. Road noise dies down around 8 or 9 and then you only hear occasional cars if you are awake... didn't bother me much. Had a dog and she had a good time.
Scout
Beautiful campground! It had pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Solid free camping! Other campers were sort of rowdy, but it was a holiday weekend.
Guide
Sites are nice; although very exposed to the neighbor and close together. It was really windy. Almost all sites in the b loop on the lake. Bathrooms clean. Not sure if there is a shower somewhere.
RangerAs you enter the park off of 10th street the bathroom and dump station are on the right. 3 spots have electric. 2 were taken when we arrived. Donations accepted ( how could you not) there were a couple of potable water spigots available. Previous reviews were spot on. Great little town. For the tent campers there are 5 spots with 20 amp power plugs also.
TravelerClose to the highway was our only downfall. Kinda loud when trying to fall asleep at night. Other than that it deserves 5 stars from us! Easy pull off of I-70. Very friendly staff, big snack shop with pizza, ice cream, adult beverages! Lots of things to do for kids- putt putt, playground. The pool is being worked on but will be up and running soon. Very happy about our stay!
TravelerVery nice place, sites are not well marked. You have to climb the curb to get to the site, and its dirt, with some grass, and lots of nice trees. We had electric at our site and they did have water available in March, dump station is nearby as well. Bathrooms where closed.
Guide
COE did a great job providing cozy site with lake access. Covered picnic table, lake view, good fishing.
Out of the way but close enough to town to get supplies. Poor cell coverage with Verizon
GuideFound this spot and had to share! Plenty of tent spots and places to park an RV. Vault toilets available. Boat ramps available. Best part is its FREE!
TravelerNice place off of 70 for a night. Level sites a plus.
Traveler
There’s a sewage dump station the next camping loop over (Hickory Hollow) if you can’t stay at a space with a sewage hookup. Pull through and back in spaces, decent amount of shade at almost every spot, primitive and RV/Camper sites. There’s even a firewood crate ($7). Close to trails and we even saw 2 deer on our way to park. Gorgeous fall leaves this time of year (October). Water has a slight sulfur smell, but who’s sink in KS doesn’t.
Guide
Beautiful setting. 3 sites with water & electric. If not using electric then free. Bath house with hot water & heat & flush toilets. No showers.
TravelerThere are a few designated camping areas with fire pits and picnic tables, but you can park and camp anywhere around the lake. Perfect for fishing, exploring, camping, boating, fishing and more. Campfires and leashed pets are allowed. Don’t forget to visit the waterfalls (entrance on State Lake Rd).
Traveler
While traveling from Alabama to Colorado I stopped at West Rolling Hills. Since it was Labor Day weekend the campground was crowded. I ended up in my tent next to R.V.'s. Despite these things I enjoyed the stay so much I made it two nights. The facilities were clean, showers and bathrooms were well maintained. Folks were friendly. I'd recommend this as a good spot to stay if traveling.
Guide
Has a pool marina and bar/restaurant. Lodging from yurts to big cabins.
GuideWe went kayaking and playing on the beach. We booked the buddy sites to have an extra large site beside the beach area and it was worth it. All sites seemed well kept and level. Only downside is the blue-green algae made it unsafe to swim but that is not a fault of the campground. Boat ramp was close and boats were able to anchor on the beach at night for campers to easily launch near the campground.
GuideIf you’re just passing through and looking for a place to camp it’s a little far off 70 but lots of space and a very nice place to stay for being free and on a lake.
Guide
Great activities to do in lake and a fun splash pad for the kids. Lots of trails and equestrian trails to hike. Fishing was fun and I believe the lake is regularly stocked. Will stay here again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Manhattan, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Manhattan, KS is Tuttle Creek State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Manhattan, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 50 dog-friendly camping locations near Manhattan, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
